Tags The 29 best games on the Nintendo Switch Comment 1 DayZ. Bohemia Interactive Australia has long had an issue with video game classification.Thanks to legislation initially put in place in the ’90s, Australia didn’t have an “adults only” or equivalent AO rating until 2013. Until then movies, TV shows and most other media could be rated “R18+,” but not video games. But even after the addition of an R18+ classification for video games, video games are still treated differently in Australia, mainly as a result of the idea that “interactivity” adds impact to any sex, violence or drug use featured. Since the introduction of its R18+ rating, Australia has still banned a significant number of video games. This week has been especially strange.It started with DayZ earlier this month. DayZ, a precursor of games like Fortnite and Apex Legends had been available digitally for years, but as a result of an official retail release, Five Star Games, the local distributor of DayZ, had to go through Australia’s government run classification process, where it was refused classification — effectively banned in Australia.Five Star Games did not immediately respond to a request for comment.Now today, Kotaku Australia has found three more titles that have also been refused classification in Australia. We Happy Few, Hotline Miami and the codenamed “Bonaire”, which is thought to be downloadable content for Red Dead Redemption 2.Interestingly, like DayZ, We Happy Few and Hotline Miami had already been classified in Australia, but as a result of either re-releases or upcoming DLC had to be re-classified. Unlike in regions like Europe or the US, in which industry bodies like the ESRB are trusted to self-regulate the classification of video games or movies, Australia’s classification is government-run. Ratings are provided by the Australian Classification Board. But the board is, for the most part, the messenger, working from guidelines agreed upon by government. Video games in Australia are most frequently banned as a result of drug use. According to the classification guidelines, any video game where drug use is incentivised (as a “power up” that benefits the player for example) can result in a ban. That’s almost certainly why We Happy Few’s DLC was refused classification and it appears to be the reason why DayZ was banned earlier this month.The Australian Classification Board did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Culture Gaming Share your voice 29 Photosread more

Share Bob Daemmrich: Straus/Campaign website: AllisonOutgoing Texas Speaker of the House Joe Straus (left) and Steve Allison, who’s in the Republican runoff to replace Straus in Texas House District 121.Retiring House Speaker Joe Straus, R-San Antonio, is getting behind a candidate to replace him in House District 121.Straus on Thursday endorsed San Antonio business attorney Steve Allison in the May 22 Republican runoff for the seat, which Straus has held since 2005. He announced last year he would not seek re-election after a record-tying five terms behind the gavel. “I am grateful for the voters who have supported me through the years, and now we need you to vote for Steve Allison,” Straus said in a statement. “Steve is the one candidate in this race who has proved himself ready to serve in the Texas House. Steve is a man of strong character and sound judgment, and I have no doubt that he will be an effective voice for our community.”Straus’ choice in the race is not entirely surprising. Allison’s opponent, Matt Beebe, unsuccessfully challenged Straus twice before, in 2012 and 2014. Beebe finished first in the six-way primary for the seat last month, getting 29 percent of the vote to Allison’s 26 percent.Allison most recently served as vice chairman of the board of VIA Metropolitan Transit, San Antonio’s mass transit agency. He previously was a member of the Alamo Heights School Board for a dozen years, including three terms as president. read more

Share Photo: Chambers County Sheriff’s OfficeJohn Stewart Beasley, a Baytown police officer who disappeared last week, was found dead from an apparent suicide on Tuesday, August 8, 2018, in Cove.A Baytown police officer who disappeared last week was found dead from an apparent suicide on Tuesday in Cove, the Houston Chronicle reported.John Stewart Beasley, who had worked as a police officer 23 years, went missing on Thursday afternoon.Searchers in a helicopter spotted a body along FM 565, less than a mile from Beasley’s home. According to investigators, he died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.read more

By Valerie Fraling, Special to the AFRO“Music does a lot of things for a lot of people. It’s transporting, for sure. It can take you right back, years back, to the very moment certain things happened in your life. It’s uplifting, it’s encouraging, it’s strengthening.” Aretha FranklinThe first time I met Aretha Franklin was her first appearance at the Baltimore Civic Center. DJ Larry Dean took me backstage to meet the most beautiful woman I had ever seen. She was so gracious and built like a “Brick house.”“I say a little prayer for you” Aretha FranklinWhile backstage, Sir Johnny O told us that Otis Redding had just died in a plane crash. We sat in disbelief as everyone processed the tragic news. Later, Aretha went on stage to perform as only the future Queen could.“Being the Queen is not all about singing, and being a diva is not all about singing. It has much to do with your service to people. And your social contributions to your community and your civic contributions as well.” Aretha FranklinYears later, The Queen performed at Pier V in Baltimore, my great friend Biddy Wood asked me if I wanted to meet Aretha Franklin. He walked over to her limousine and the next thing I know I am standing in front of the Queen and Wes Hairston is standing beside the limo witnessing this special moment. Biddy walked away and she invited me to sit in the limo with her.“Everybody wants respect. In their own way, three-year-olds would like respect, and acknowledgment, in their terms.” Aretha FranklinThe first thing she asked me was “how is Damita?” Now, I’m totally impressed that she would ask about a fellow sister in music. I told her how Damita Jo DeBlanc, a singer, was doing and she told me to make sure I told Damita that she asked for her. We talked mostly about Baltimore back in the day. I will always remember that magical night.“I’ve been around long enough for people to know who I am and what my contributions are. They know me as more than just an artist. I think they know me as a woman as well.” Aretha FranklinI saw The Queen perform at the Meyerhoff; I was standing outside when I saw her pull up in her limo. I wasn’t close enough to speak but, as she stepped out of the limo she looked around and waved. Yes, the Queen waved. I got my ticket from my good friend Mary Demory and and unbeknownst to me, it was the best seat in the house, seven rows back dead center. The Queen walked out on stage with her legendary big purse, in a sky blue gown. She sat the purse down next to the piano and gave a royal performance befitting her royal subjects, who have loved her from the beginning of her career until infinity.The last time I saw the Queen was at the inauguration of President Obama. In frigid weather she sang as we all stood in the cold, proving once again that she was still the Queen.“Falling out of love is like losing weight. It’s alot easier putting it on than taking it off.” Aretha FranklinThe Queen taught us about RESPECT and how to feel like a “Natural Woman,” she taught us if we wanted “a do right man we had to be a do right woman.” The Queen told us about “the house that Jack built” and when we’re sick don’t call no doctor but call “Dr. Feelgood” and the perseverance to sit right there “until you come back to me” and how to say “call me.” Then she would tell him “I’m drinking again” while experiencing “sweet bitter love” while telling him “I never loved a man the way that I loved you.”“And I was booked once to go on ‘Ed Sullivan’ and I got bumped and ran out the back door crying.” Aretha FranklinQueen, in your early life like a “bridge over troubled water,” you navigated the tide and made every young girl realize it’s not where you start but where you end in life that counts.The “skylark” will sing as you “climb up the mountain” riding on the “freeway of love in your pink cadillac” remember to “rock steady” and “jump to it” entering heaven’s gates. “You told Mary don’t you weep” but it’s hard not to weep.“Feels like I’ve seen you before maybe in a past life, you were mine and I was yours. ‘Cause the vibe we share feels so comfortable. Is it possible someone could make me lose control? Look what you’ve done to me. Finding it hard to breathe, cause’ I just can’t believe you’re feeling me like I’m feeling you.” Aretha FranklinHappy 44th anniversary Dell and Tony Perry and happy 10th anniversary to Colin’s Restaurateurs, Dante and Candes Daniels.“Every birthday is a gift. Every day is a gift.” Aretha FranklinSending birthday wishes to Rosa Barber on her 93rd birthday, 80th birthday for William Clayton and happy birthday Pastor Purcell Wylie, Pastor Tim Tooten, Helen McDonald and my great neighbors Ernestine Jolivet and Tina Jolivet.Somebody prayed for mePlease keep my mother, retired United Methodist Pastor Pauline Wilkins, in your prayers as she recuperates at St. Agnes Hospital and Thurston Jones as he recuperates at home.“I paid my dues; I certainly did.” Aretha FranklinFamily and friends gathered to say good-bye to the beautiful 96-year-old Priscilla Blackwell, mother of Maurice, Charles, Leo and Wayland. Mrs. Priscilla was a woman of class, style and dignity, elegantly dressed in a hat, stylish outfit and her red nails, making a true fashion statement.Family and friends are mourning the death of longtime community and political activist Randy Carroll and prayers to Ralph Gilliam on the death of his mother Josephine Gilliam.“When God loves you, what can be better than that? “ Aretha Franklinread more

Advertisement Last Thursday, Facebook and Jumia Nigeria partnered to host the first ‘Boost Your Business’ event in Nigeria at the Landmark Event Centre.More than 500 Nigerian entrepreneurs gathered to network, hear about marketing best practices, and learn about how they can use Facebook and Jumia to grow their businesses.The event served as a rallying call for Nigerian entrepreneurs, who have an invaluable role to play in growing the country’s economy. – Advertisement – The one-day workshop provided entrepreneurs and business owners with best practices and advice from top business owners, illustrating how using Facebook and Jumia can help them maximise sales on Black Friday, this Friday 27th of November. The first 200 people that registered each received a N5,000 voucher for Facebook Ads.The backbone of the economy“We enjoyed sharing our ideas at last week’s workshop about how effective, easy to use, and mobile social media solutions can help Nigerian entrepreneurs accelerate the growth of their businesses,” said Nunu Ntshingila, Head of Facebook Africa.“SMEs are the backbone of Nigeria’s economy and encouraging entrepreneurial activity is critical to its growth and development. As of May this year, more than half the people on Facebook in Nigeria were connected to an SME.”Added Jeremy Doutte, CEO of Jumia Africa: “Jumia is proud to partner with Facebook in Nigeria for the very first time. We are delighted to host an event for the booming Nigerian business community and our sellers in particular, providing them with a better understanding of how they can use Jumia and Facebook to grow their businesses exponentially.Black Friday is also around the corner and we have been witnessing already 100 times more traction on our website than the traction we had last year for this sale. This event was thus an opportunity for us to bring our sellers together, and coach them on how to make the most of Black Friday”With more than 15 million monthly active mobile users, 16 million total monthly active users, and 7.1 million daily active users in Nigeria, Facebook is the mobile solution for Nigerian businesses of all sizes.Facebook is where customers spend their time“SMEs are the engines for job growth in the world economy, accounting for 80% of jobs worldwide.As a platform that democratises marketing, Facebook can help small businesses to reach their full potential,” says Ebele Okobi, Facebook’s Head of Public Policy for Africa. “We give them a platform to advertise where customers already spend their time and make it easy for small businesses to communicate with people anytime, anywhere.”Nigerian start-ups and small businesses are already benefitting from the way that Facebook helps them to talk to customers in an affordable, personalised manner. Jay Osbie Clothing, a seller on Jumia for example, is using Facebook to promote its brand for fashion-forward men and bring interested customers back to his shop on Jumia.“Facebook is significantly cheaper than other channels. Actually, it’s not even comparable,” says Jay Osbie, the founder. His Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/jayosbie/?fref=ts) has 6,500 fans and his Instagram page (https://www.instagram.com/jayosbie) has 1,800 followers.Jay produces strong visual content and reached an Average Relevance score of 7 out of 10. He also recently ran link ads and paid $260 for 14k clicks ($0.02 per click).Girly Essentials, a one-stop shop for affordable and unique women’s products, has 176,000 fans on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/GirlyEssentials/?fref=ts) and 3,200 followers on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/girlyessentialsshop). It’s all about building a community, says founder Chinma Nwaozuzu, adding, “People ask how I’ve grown my business – I say Facebook – ads on Facebook.”Chinma does not have a team of people; “it is only Chinma!” she says and adds that she has grown her business by building trust through building a community first.read more